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I am an independent developer, and I've been unable to publish my app on the Microsoft Store for about three months — it keeps getting rejected due to "10.2.10 Security":
Microsoft Store
I realize this is because I'm not well-known, but how can I build a reputation when it’s impossible?
Microsoft blocks the download:
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft even prevents it from being opened:
Microsoft Windows
Sure, I could provide a step-by-step guide on how to unblock my app, but, as experience has shown, users don’t trust unfamiliar apps (and rightly so!), because Microsoft has conditioned them for years to avoid running unknown software: "Make sure you trust before you open it" and "Running this app might put your PC at risk".
Don't get me wrong: as a regular user, I fully support these security measures because they truly work and help.
But as an independent developer, I don’t know what to do :(
My app doesn't engage in cryptojacking, doesn't initiate unauthorized network activity, and doesn't pose any threat to users — it doesn't transmit any data to me and/or third parties, doesn't use telemetry and/or monitoring tools, doesn't track actions and/or location, doesn't have built-in diagnostics and/or analytics, doesn't request privilege escalation, doesn't collect statistics and doesn't learn from personal data.
My app passes all the necessary Microsoft checks:
Microsoft Security
And I can’t afford an EV certificate since I’m an individual, not an organization:
ssl.comBut my app gets blocked anyway.
So... does anyone have any ideas on what I can do in my situation?
Looks like my app was finally approved, and it is no longer blocked when downloaded or launched (still can't believe it). I hope it won't be blocked after this message 🥲
A huge thank you to everyone who helped me solve this issue — I truly appreciate it 🔥
To Microsoft: if you genuinely want more new apps in the Store, you need to improve the verification process for independent developers. While I fully support all your security measures and policies as a user, as a developer, I believe modernization is necessary because not all developers and apps pose a risk to end users.
To developers: unfortunately, I don’t know exactly what or who helped me (as I have reached out in many places and spoken with many people over the past few months). But one thing I know for sure — never give up (even if your messages/questions/accounts are ignored/blocked/removed) and always strive to make your product the best it can be.
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Looks like my app was finally approved, and it is no longer blocked when downloaded or launched (still can't believe it). I hope it won't be blocked after this message 🥲
A huge thank you to everyone who helped me solve this issue — I truly appreciate it 🔥
To Microsoft: if you genuinely want more new apps in the Store, you need to improve the verification process for independent developers. While I fully support all your security measures and policies as a user, as a developer, I believe modernization is necessary because not all developers and apps pose a risk to end users.
To developers: unfortunately, I don’t know exactly what or who helped me (as I have reached out in many places and spoken with many people over the past few months). But one thing I know for sure — never give up (even if your messages/questions/accounts are ignored/blocked/removed) and always strive to make your product the best it can be.
You don't explicitly state this, did you report the file as safe as the report details suggest?
Yes, many times. On several occasions, I even received the standard automated response from a bot stating that a "24-hour investigation" was needed, but no investigation ever took place as there was no further correspondence:
In most cases, I received no reply at all — I sent the file about 10 times but only got 3 emails confirming the registration of my reports.
